Police will continue to protect and serve

By
Chris Ward

Nov. 30, 2012, midnight

PORT Macquarie police will not rest on their laurels and will continue to put wrongdoers before the courts.

Police will continue to protect and serve

On the job: Inspector Steve Clarke said police have made numerous arrests in relation to the spate of aggravated break and enters and home invasions in the Hastings area.Senior Constable Allan Rider, Acting Sargeant Belinda Griffiths and Constable Lindsay Steele show a united front.

PORT Macquarie police will not rest on their laurels and will continue to put wrongdoers before the courts.

The message comes from Mid-North Coast Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Steve Clarke who admitted there had been an increase in robberies and aggravated break and enters in the Hastings recently.

While the number of crimes have increased, Insp Clarke said, so had police response which has resulted in numerous arrests.

One of which happened yesterday when detectives from Strike Force Mehi 2 arrested a 26-year-old man in a planned operation in a home at Leith Street West Kempsey.

He was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and revocation of a parole warrant and appeared in court the same day.

Insp Clarke said police have arrested and charged 31 people with a total of 26 aggravated break and enter offences and 10 other break, enter and steal offences.

Overall there have been over 50 charges relating to the spate of crimes.

The Local Area Command has also established Strike Force Counter to target other violent offenders.

"The arrest rate that we've had shows how well the strike force is going," Insp Clarke said.

In the latest incident a home at Fernbak Creek Road was targeted in broad daylight on Monday.

A 24-year-old man was home at the time.

He was confronted by two men who left the scene. The victim called Triple 0 and following a lengthy search of the area one of the alleged culprits was found.

The victim who wished to remain anonymous praised police efforts.

"They did a great job," he said. "It was only a matter of minutes and they were here."

Insp Clarke said it was nice to receive positive feedback after a successful arrest.

"The commitment of our officers was clearly demonstrated on Monday when upon the reporting of a aggravated break and enter police swarmed on the Sancrox area for hours and a police dog tracked and located the offender who was arrested and charged," he said.

"We are not prepared to rest on our current achievements and our strike forces ... will continue with the support of any necessary resources of the NSW Police Force."

Anyone with information that can assist police should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.